19. NTIA proposed to require coupon applicants to submit the following information: (1) name;
(2) address (no Post Office Box); (3) the number of coupons required, not to exceed two
coupons; (4) a certification that they only receive over-the-air television signals using an analog-only (NTSC) television receiver; and (5) a certification that no other member of the household
has or will apply for a coupon. Furthermore, consistent with the Act, NTIA proposed to
commence the application period on January 1, 2008 and conclude on March 31, 2009. If an
applicant does not specify the number of coupons needed, NTIA proposed sending the applicant
one coupon. Also consistent with the Act, NTIA proposed sending the requested coupon(s) via
the United States Postal Service.

20. Few of the comments raised concerns about the information NTIA proposed to require
consumers to provide as part of the application process. CERC, however, argued that
certifications that a household receives only over-the-air television signals and that no one else
in the household will apply is neither consistent with the Act, nor practical nor fair.[ 49 ]
Council
Tree Communications Inc. argued that NTIA should allow for “alternative methods of delivering
the coupons to Indian Reservations and Alaskan Native Villages.”[ 50 ]
Some commenters
encouraged the Agency to make applications available in foreign languages.[ 51 ]
With respect to
the application period, one commenter suggested that the time period be extended to December
31, 2009, because consumers may not understand the need for a converter box until their
televisions go dark after February 17, 2009.[ 52 ]

21. The Final Rule requires applicants to provide NTIA with only the information necessary for
NTIA to fulfill a coupon request. Accordingly, applicants for coupons must provide the
following: (1) name; (2) address; (3) the number of coupons that they require; and (4) a
certification as to whether they receive cable, satellite, or other paid television service. NTIA is
sensitive to privacy concerns and is not requesting unnecessary personal identification
information, such as social security numbers. Multifamily residences (i.e., a residence occupied
by more than one family unit) will not be eligible for more than two coupons unless each
household is occupied as separate living quarters and has a separate U.S. postal address.
Coupons will be mailed via the U.S. postal service along with the terms and conditions of use.
Given the sensitivity of commenters to the prevalence of Post Office Boxes in rural America,
NTIA will make allowances for households on Indian Reservations, Alaskan Native Villages and
other rural areas where Post Office Boxes are the only means of mail delivery. Residents of
Indian reservation, Alaskan Native Villages and other rural areas without home postal delivery
may be requested to supply additional information to identify the physical location of the
household. With respect to the application period, NTIA will adhere to the period provided in
the legislation; thus NTIA will accept applications only between January 1, 2008 and March 31,
2009.[ 53 ]

22. Commenters agreed with NTIA’s proposal to make application forms widely available.[ 54 ]
NTIA will administer the program to make it accessible particularly to those in need of coupons.
As part of the consumer education program, consumers will be made aware of the various ways
to access and submit applications for the Coupon Program. NTIA will ensure that applications
and accompanying materials are available in other languages consistent with its obligations
under Executive Order 13166, “Improving Access to Services for Persons with Limited English
Proficiency,” (Aug. 11, 2000).[ 55 ]
The Final Rule provides that coupons may be requested by
mail, by phone and electronically (e.g., by email or through a website).